New York City Invests $8.4 Million to Retrofit Three Green Stormwater Infrastructure Corridors

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 27, the New York City government and New York State government confirmed an investment of $8.4 million to retrofit road medians in Whitestone, Forest Hills, and Queens Village, Queens, to build stormwater-absorbing green infrastructure. The three projects are expected to collectively capture approximately 5 million gallons of stormwater annually, with New York State providing $5 million in funding through the Green Innovation Grant Program and the Water Quality Improvement Project.

The projects will involve demolishing existing concrete medians and curbs, clearing existing trees, weeds, and sediment, and constructing new inlets to direct road runoff into the medians. Underground, specially engineered soil and stormwater storage systems will be installed, while the surface will be planted with native shrubs, herbaceous plants, and wildflowers; the scope of work also includes ADA-compliant ramps and detectable warning surfaces.

The Whitestone project is located on Francis Lewis Boulevard between 20th Avenue and 21st Road, featuring a green median of 1,105 feet in length, corresponding to a drainage area of 1.17 acres, and is nearing completion. The project is designed to treat 1.11 million gallons of stormwater annually, and the captured runoff will reduce the volume of water entering the local combined sewer system.

The Forest Hills project is located on Union Turnpike between Metropolitan Avenue and 71st Road, with a total median length of 3,245 feet and a drainage area of 2.56 acres. Greenery planting is scheduled for fall 2026, with a designed annual stormwater treatment capacity of 2.43 million gallons. The drainage system in this area ultimately connects to combined sewer facilities related to Flushing Bay.

The Queens Village project is located on Springfield Boulevard between Lucas Street and Merrick Boulevard, with construction scheduled to begin later in 2026. It will build 1,182 feet of green infrastructure, covering a drainage area of 1.51 acres, with a designed annual stormwater treatment capacity of 1.44 million gallons. All three projects are being advanced by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and coordinated with the New York City Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.